Project 10073 Record Card — Kunia, Hawaii, 13 April 1962

This document consists of a Project 10073 Record Card and an associated Department of the Air Force Staff Message regarding an unidentified radar return detected on 13 April 1962. The incident occurred at 0845Z in the vicinity of the Kunia Annex, Hawaii, at coordinates 2202N 160.40W. The report indicates that the object was not observed visually, but was tracked by ground radar. The radar return showed an object at an altitude below 25,000 feet, exhibiting a high rate of closure estimated at 700 knots, and appearing on the scope from a bearing of 318 degrees. The military authorities, including the Hawaii Air Defense Division, circulated the report via a CIRVIS (Communication Instructions for Reporting Vital Intelligence Sightings) message to various commands, including CINCPACAF, CINCNORAD, and the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. The official evaluation of the sighting, as recorded on the Project 10073 card, concluded that there was insufficient data to determine the nature of the object. Investigators noted that the lack of information regarding the type of ground radar used, the specific direction of the track, and the status of other air activity in the area prevented a definitive identification, though the possibility of an aircraft was mentioned. The case was ultimately filed as having insufficient data for evaluation.